Former Kay Jewelers store manager arrested for theft

Eric S. Powell, 29, of 79 Snowberry Road, Malta, was charged with second-degree and fourth-degree grand larceny as well as both second- and third-degree criminal possession of stolen property. (Photo provided)

QUEENSBURY - A Malta man has been indicted on two counts each of grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property, all felonies, in connection with the theft of more than $50,000 worth of jewelry from the store he had been managing.

The case began months ago when the Warren County Sheriff's Office, in conjunction with loss prevention managers from the Sterling Jewelers Corporation, began investigating the thefts from the Kay Jewelers store located at Aviation Mall in Queensbury.

The investigation led to the arrest of Eric S. Powell, 29, of 79 Snowberry Road, Malta, who was charged with second-degree and fourth-degree grand larceny, as well as both second-degree and third-degree criminal possession of stolen property.

Police said that diamond rings, diamond pendants and Movado watches were missing from the store. During the investigation, police learned that from about May 2011 through December 2011, Powell allegedly stole the merchandise and sold it on eBay. When Powell learned of the investigation, he resigned from his employment at Kay Jewelers, police said.

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A grand jury in Warren County recently heard evidence in the case and returned an indictment on the charges.

Powell was arraigned in Warren County Court and sent to the Warren County Correctional Facility in lieu of $10,000 cash bail or $30,000 bond. He is scheduled to reappear in County Court at 9 a.m. on Dec. 13.